Fire-protection signal system.



No. 802,875. vP'lzIIfTED OCT. 24., 1905. J. G. NOLEN a E. SHEPHERD.

FIRE PROTECTION SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20,.1905.

2 SHBBTSSHEET 1.

No. 802,875. PATENTED UGT. 24, 1905. J. G. NOLEN in J. E. SHEPHERD.

FIRE PROTECTION SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.20, 1905.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

2W @mw/f @in ie/feria JAMES G. NOLEN AND JOHN E. SHEPHERD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MME-PROTECTION SlGiNil. SYSTIEIW.

Specification. of Letters Patent.

Patented oet. 24, leas.

Application led March 20| 1905- Selial N0. 250.957.

Be it known that we. JAA-ins Cr. NoLnN and JOHN E. SHEPHERD, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire- Protection Signal Systems; and we hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in lire-protection signal systems, and has for its general object to provide, in association with an automatic fire-extinguisher system, a signaling` system whereby vsupervision over the condition of devices of the sprinkler system may be maintained.

One of the objects of our invention is to provide, in conjunction with a fluid-receptacle of a tire-extinguisher system, means for supervising' the condition of pressure, liquidlevel, and temperature therein to guard against the prevalence of abnormal conditions which will injure the effectiveness of the sprinkler system when in operation.

A further object of our invention is to so provide and arrange these devices that those in authority at the supervising station may note the signals transmitted, whether' the condition in the receptacle being supervised is such as indicates local trouble only or such as indicates the conditions naturally consequent upon the action of the sprinkler system. in extinguishing a lire.

Other and further objects of our invention will hereinafter become apparent.

Referring' now to the drawings, Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing a typical application of our invention. Fig. 2 is a'diagrammatic view of a signail-transmitter. Fig'. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of said transmitter as diagrammatieally shown. Fig. et is a detail of a pressure-indicator, such as is well adapted for the practice of our invention.

Throughout the drawings like numerals and letters of reference refer always to like parts.

In certain of its features our invention is particularly applicable to the supervision of elements of a iire-extinguishersystem wherein a certain pressure should be maintained at a certain liquid-level step to secure the proper action of the sprinkler system. Such conditions are.present, for example, in the risers of dry-pipe extinguisher systems or in pressure-tanks, which are commonly employed in extinguisher systems, as will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

For purposes of illustration we have shown our invention as applied to the supervision of the riser of a d ry-pipe extinguisher system, whereinn A represents the riser, and B a differential valve, below which the water or other extinguishing liquid should be maintained at a constant level while the sprinkler system is in passive condition by the pressure of air filling the piping' above the variable pressurevalve. The maintenance of such conditions in a dry-pipe system is often of the gravest importance, as such systems are frequently used where the area to be protected by a sprinkler is apt to be at such a low temperature that water standing in the pipe would freeze, thereby disabling' the entire sprinkler system in case of lire.

For the complete supervision -of the conditions in the riser' or other receptacle we provide devices operating in response to undue variations in the conditions to be maintained in association with a suitable alarm or signaling system. Specifically, devices typical of those which may be employed are the waterlevel indicator C, the pressure-indicator I), and the tem1)erature-indicator E. Preferably these devices are arranged to show the condition immediately above the variable pressurevalve or other point at which the water-level should be maintained, and they may conveniently be constructed and arranged as follows: a indicates a pipe tapping the riser A at a suitable point above the variable pressurevalve B, said pipe communicating' with a chamber c, wherein is suspended a iioat-ball c, pivoted, as at c2, and provided with a lever part e, engaging the inner end of a lever c", fulcrumed in a diaphragm e, closing an opening in the wall of the chamber e, said lever being' at :its outer end associated with suitable circuit-controlling' devices to be described. At its outer end the chamber c opens into the pressure-indieator I), which preferably comprises the bowed hollow spring member (Z, which under pressure created in the interior thereof tends to straighten or unbend. The end of said tube is connected by a link d' with a lever' Zi in such manner as to properly move said lever, the parts being' herein shown and arranged in such manner that as the spring'- coils tighten under the reduction of pressure upon the water within its hollow interior the IOO longer arm of the lever Z2 is raised. Z3 indi- Cates a receptacle containing mercury,to which I will refer as a mercury contact. fl" indicates a contact-point carried by the lever Z2 and preferably under the pressure conditions normally prevailing' in the riser A dips into the mercury contact (Z3. Then the loop of the spring-tube CZ is contracted by the effect of decreased pressure, the contact d* is raised out of contact with the mercury contact (Z3. The temperature-indicator E may be of suitable character to aord an indication of the temperature of the fluid or liquid within the receptacle just above the valve B and is shown as comprising an ordinary thermometer E, having a wire led into a mercury bulb, a contact-point at a degree approximating freezing-point, and another contact-point at a degree approximating boiling. The exact location of these contact-points may be varied to suit the requirements of the lire-underwriters board or other ofhcials. It will be apparent, however, that between freezing and boiling point, or, in other words, under normal conditions, the mercury closes electrical connection or circuit between the two lower contacts. In the supervision of these indicating devices we preferably provide a suitable signal-transmitting device for each of the indicating devices, said transmitting' devices being preferably connected with suitable central-station signal-receiving' apparatus, preferably receiving signals from all of said transmitters in common, so that in case of receipt of signals from more than one transmitter the order of their transmission may be readily noted.

A transmitting device suitable for the practice of our invention is diagrammaticall y illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, and in said views F indicates the transmitter in general, compris-Y ing a spring motor-driven train f, arranged to simultaneously rotate two number-wheels f/ and f2, each having a series of circuitbreaking teeth and a raised peripheral circuitbreaking' portion disposed in position corresponding in time of operation with the toothed portion of the opposite wheel. An electroresponsive device G, preferably an electromagnet, is arranged to control the movements of the train f, havingl an armature g, mounted upon a lever g', provided with two h'ngers g2 and g3, having inturned ends adapted to coact with notches fl f5, respectively, arranged at different elevations in an annular flange f3, carried by a wheel f of the geartrain. rlhe arrangement of parts is suoli, assuming the magnet-armaterc to be attracted and the fingers ,(/i to be in engagement with the notch f1, if the magnet be denergized so that the armature-spring retracts, the armature throwing the finger g3 against the inner side of the flangef'n, the clock-train operates until the notch f is engaged by the linger y after a half-revolution of the wheel f. During this time the number-wheels f f2 each make a full revolution. lf now the armature g be again attracted by its magnet G, the wheel fuis again released for a half-revolution, during which time the number-wheels again make each a full revolution before the finger f/Z again engages the notch Vhile such a form of device is very convenient and has many advantages, we do not desire to be understood as limiting ourselves thereto in the broader aspect of our invention; but we have shown said transmitter diagrammatically for purposes of full illustration. All of the transmitters may be alike, and we have therefore shown the three transmitters associated, respectively, with the pressure-indicator, the liquid-level indicator, and the temperatureindicator, as F' F2 F3.

In their wiring arrangements in general we prefer that the transmitters should be all alike, and we will therefore describe the wiring connections of the transmitter F and its electro-responsive devices G', it being understood that the other transmitters are similarly wound, except in matters hereinafter specifically mentioned.

From the central-station generator H extends a main-line wire 10, including' the coils 11 of a relay L and leading to the pen 11 of wheelf of said box F'. Said pen is arranged normally out of contact with its wheel and in contact with a coacting point 12. From the pen 11 the circuit branches into two parallel connections, one, which I will arbitrarily term the main branch, including the contact 12, wire 13, coils 14 and 15 of the balanced magnet G, and wire 16, which terminates at a juncture-point 17. The other branch, which I will arbitrarily term the supervisory branch, extends from said pen 11 by wire 18 to a pen 19 of the number-wheelf2 of the transmitter F', likewise normally out of contact with its wheel, but in contact with a coacting contact mem ber 20, connected by wire 21 with a coil 1-1/ of the magnet G', the opposite end whereofl is connected by wire 22 with the mercury contact Z3 of the pressure-indicator, the contact-point d* whereof is connected by wire Q3 with the coil 15 of the magnet G/, the opposite end of which is connected by wire 2% with the junction-point 17. Frein said junction-point 17 the main circuit continues through the transmitter F2, which is wired exactly like the transmitter Fl described, and the transmitter F3, likewise wired in general like the transmitters described, to the junction-.point 17, whence the circuit is completed by wire 25 to the ground and by wire 26 from the ground to the negative terminal of the gene'rator H. rlhe supervisory branch of thel box F2 is normally closed through contacts c normally maintained in closed relation, while the iioat c is depending by an insulated block c7, carried by the lever ci, but adapted to be laterally moved by the eleva- TOO IIC)

IZO

ISO

'soasva tion or' the Vfloat c. and a consequent vibration oi lever c" to open-circuit position. The supervisory circuit oi' the box F is normally closed through the mercury of thermometer by wires inserted therein at the point approximating treezing-point being included in An additional wire 27 is preferably run from the upper, or boiling-point contact of the thermometer, to the main branch ot' the circuit.

At the central station suitable apparatus may be required for indicating and recording signals, in the drawings the relay 141 being provided with an armature 28, included in a normally open circuit 29, containing the recording device 30 and a local battery 3l, said local battery being' adapted to be closed by the retraction of the armature 2S upon the rupture oi' the main circuit. Ii' a reduction of pressure occurs in the riser A sutcient to be disadvantageous to the extinguisher system and sufficient to enable water to liow through the valve B, the closer coiling of the loop oi" the elastic tube (Z, attendant upon the reduction of pressure, causes the supervisory branch of the circuit ot' box F to be broken by the withdrawal of point d'1 from the mercury contact. Now current from the generator is all caused to pass from the main branch of the box 1W, so that only the coils 14 and 15 oi the magnet G are energized and the magnet thereby unbalanced. Consequently it attracts its armature, which has been normally staiiding unattracted, thereby releasing the transmitting-wheels, thus tripping the box, :for one round of operation. It will be seen that since the supervisory circuit, including therein the pen and contact 19 and 20, respectively, is broken the signal transmitted to central station will be characteristic ot' the elevated portions of the number-wheel f', the number-wheel]L72 being electrically inactive. Should, however, the pressure conditions in the riser be promptly restored to normal and the loop of the pressure-indicator be expanded to again immerse the contact d* in the mercury contact (Z3, to reestablish the circuit conditions originally described and a second time thereby trip the transmitter-box for a round of operation the continuity of the two branches or' the circuit will be alternately broken by the raised continuous peripheral portions of the respective wheels, so that each wheel is able to send a series of impulses characteristic of a number, thereby producing at the central station a signal distinguishable from that sent by the pressure reduction. In this manner the central oilice will be apprised, lirst, of the abnormal condition in thesprinkler system, and, second or later, by a characteristic distinguishable signal upon the restoration .of normal conditions. The action as regards the water-level indicator is substantially the same, the rise of water-level above the valve B so as to lill the chamber c causing the elevation of the float c', the movement of lever ci in its fulcrtiming-diaphragm, and the rupture of the supervisory circuit ol box f at the contact ci. By this means L water-columning or leakage of water above the variable-pressure valve in the riser may be detected, or, in case oi' a pressure-tank, by raising the float c to open the supervisory circuit as the water-level drops, the drop ot the water in such a device may be detected. Should, however, watercolumning occur, it is important to know the temperature of the water that it may be prevented from freezing until steps are taken to remove the ditiiculty in the system. This is provided for by the temperature-indicating arrangement E, l'or il the temperature of the water falls below a predetermined point the supervisory circuit or box F is broken, tripping' said box by unbalaneing its relay G3 and causing` it to send in a trouble signal. Should the temperature of the water, on the other hand, rise dangerously close to boilingpoint, contact is made by the mercury in thermometer E with the wire 27, so that a short circuit is established thereby around the coils of the magnet G included in the main branch, thereby unbalancing the magnet and tripping the box.- lhus complete supervision over these 'features of possible trouble in a sprinkler system is accomplished in such away that the supervising oiiicials are notilied ot' the occurrence oi' trouble, the signals transmitted upon the occurrence Ot' each dinferent trouble beingdistinguishable, and the signals being' distinguishable as to box-mnnber, and the signals transmitted upon the restoration of normal conditions being distinguishable from those sent upon the occurrence of the trouble. Furthermore, it is to be noted that by the arrangement herein described, we enable the supervising oicials to distinguish between such conditions in the system as show mere trouble and such conditions as occur in the event of lire and the consequent complete operation of the sprinkler system. It will be understood that in the event of lire, and the opening oll the sprinkler-heads ot' the system, the pressure within the riser A immediately falls, causing the pressure-indicator to send its trouble-alarm, and the water commences to flow through the pipe (Z, so that it fills almost instantly: the pressure is restored above that normally existing in the dry-pipe portions of the system, thereby causing the pressure-indicator to again trip its box to send the restoration signal, while the ioiv oi water, [illing the chamber c and elevating the float c causes the water-level box F to send its trouble-signal. if desired, the boxes may be so timed in operation that they do not conflict, although in many instances special precaution in this regard is not necessary. It will be apparent, however, that the sequence of signals described is indicative of a sequence ot IOO ITO

conditions inv the sprinkler system which only occur in the natural course of events in caseof fire or such an opening of the sprinkler-head as would ordinarily be occasioned only by re. Therefore the devices ot the system operate in the manner of a fire-alarm, as well as to aord complete supervision or' the associated parts of the fire-extinguisher apparatus. f

For the purpose of notifying local attendants ot' abnormal pressure or liquid-level conditions, as by automatically ringing an alarmbell, we provide a bell K, located local to the protected area, a battery 715', contacts k2 and 7c3 normally open, adapted to be closed by the lateral movement of the lever c", as when water enters the chamber c and raises the float 0, and other contacts 71:5 and li", normally open and adapted to be closed upon the decrease of pressure below normal, the two sets of contacts being placed in parallel with reference to each other, as shown, so that the closing of either pair will cause the bell to be rung.

l/Vhile we have herein described in some detail an embodiment ot' our invention which we find to be highly advantageous in its application, we do not desire to be understood as limiting ourselves to the specific construction and connections herein shown and described further than as specified in the claims.

4Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In combination with a receptacle ot'a fireextinguisher system wherein the conditions of pressure and liquid-level change when the system is active, a pressure-indicator, a waterlevel indicator, means associated with said indicators for giving distinguishable signals upon the variations of conditions ot pressure and water-level.

2. In combination with a receptacle of a lireextinguisher system wherein conditions of pressure and liquid-level change when the system is active, otl a pressure-indicator and a liquid-level indicator associated with said receptacle, means associated with said devices for giving distinguishable signals upon the variation of conditions of pressure and liquidlevel, means located at a supervisory station responsive to said signal, and suitable circuit connections for said signal transmitting and receiving means.

3. In combination with a receptacle of a iireextinguisher system wherein conditions of pressure and liquid-level change when the system is active, a pressure-indicator, a means for indicating the commencement of liquidiow, means associated with said indicators for transmitting' distinguishable signals upon the suitable actuation of said indicating means, signal-responsive apparatus, and normally closed circuit connections between said signal-transmitting means and the signal-re- @caer sponsive devices, including a source of current-supply, whereby the signaling system is maintained Linder test.

4L. In combination with a receptacle of a fireextinguisher system, wherein upon the commencement of activity of the system a pressure variation and commencement of liquidflow occurs sequentially, means associated with said receptacle for indicating the pressure variation and commencement or' liquid-flow, and signaling means associated with saidindicating devices for designating the sequential commencement ot pressure variations and liquidiiow in the receptacle.

5. In combination with a receptacle of a fireextinguisher system wherein upon the commencement of activity of the system a pressure variation and commencement of liquid-How occurs sequentially, means associated with said receptacle for indicating the pressu re variation and commencement of liquid-dow, and signaling means associated with said indicating devices for designating by distinguishable signals the sequential commencement of pressure variations and liquid-How in the receptacle.

6. In combination with a receptacle of a tireextinguisher system wherein variation in pressure and commencement of liquid-How are sequential upon the commencement of activity of the system, means associated with said receptacle for indicating the variation in pressure and succeeding commencement of liquidiiow, electrical signal-transmitting means associated with said indicators, and adapted to transmit a distinguishable signal upon the actuation of each of said indicating means, a supervisory station equipped with a signal-receiving apparatus, and suitable circuit connections between said signal-transmitting and signal-receiving apparatus, including a means of current-supply.

.7. In combination with a receptacle of a fireextinguisher apparatus wherein variation of pressure and iow ot' liquid commence sequentially when the system becomes active, a pressure-indicator associated with said receptacle, a means for indicating the commencement of water-flow associated with said receptacle, said pressure-indicator and water -flow indicator being' arranged to act successively upon the commencement of activity in the receptacle, a transmitter associated with each ot said indicators, adapted to transmit a signal, a signal-receiving apparatus and suitable circuit connections between the signal transmitting and receiving apparatus.

8. In combination with a receptacle oi' alireextinguisher system wherein variations of pressure and commencement of water-How practically occur sequentially, means for indicating commencement of water-flow, a pressure-indicator, a means associated with each of said devices for transmitting a given signal upon the actuation of its indicator to indicate abnormal conditions in the receptacle, and anotherl signal upon the restoration of normal conditions, signal-receiving apparatus and suitable circuit connections between the sig nal-transmitting means and signal-receiving apparatus.

9. In com bination with a receptacle of a lireextinguisher system wherein variations of pressure and commencement ot' water-flow practically occur sequentially, means for indieating commencement of water-flow, a pressure-indicator, a means associated with each of said devices for transmitting a given signal upon the actuation oi' its indicator to indicate abnormal conditions in the receptacle, and another signal upon the restoration of normal conditions, said two si gnal-transmitting means adapted to transmit signals of distinguishable character from each other, signalreceiving apparatus and suitable circuit connections between the signal-transmitting means and signal-receiving apparatus.

10. In combination with a receptacle of a lire-extinguishing system wherein predetermined liquid-level and pressure conditions should be normally7 maintained, a pressure-indicator, a water-level indicator, and a temperature-indicator associated with said receptacle, signal-transmitting means associated with said indicators for transmitting distinguishable signals upon the actuation of said indicators, to show predetermined degrees of abnormal conditions in said receptacle, signalresponsive means and suitable circuit connections between the signal-transmitting and signal-responsive means.

1l. In combination with a iireextinguish ing system wherein predetermined conditions of pressure and water-level should be normally maintained, a pressure-indicator, a water-level indicator, a temperature-indicator, a separate transmitter associated with each of said indicators for control thereby, signal-receiving apparatus and suitable circuit connections between said signal-receiving apparatus and said signal-transmitter.

\ '12. In combination with a lire-extinguishing system wherein certain conditions oi' pressure, water-level and temperature should he normally maintained, means for indicating' conditions oi' pressure, water-level and temperature associated with said system, an independent signal-transmitter controlled by each of said indicating means, a signal-receiving apparatus, and a single main-line circuit including said signal-transmitting apparatus and signalsreceiving apparatus.

13. In combination with a receptacle of a lire-extinguishing system wherein thel conditions oi' pressure and liquid-level change when the system is active, of a pressure-indicator, a water-level indicator, means associated with said indicators for closing an electric circuit upon the variation of conditions of pressure or liquid-level, an electric circuit, a source of current for said circuit and an alarm device in said circuit.

14C. In combination with a lire-extinguisher system comprising iiuid retaining means wherein the conditions ot' pressure and liquidlevel change when the system is active, means associated with said Huid-retainil'ig means t'or indicating the pressure variation and the commencement of liquid -iiow, and means associated with said indicating` means for giving distinguishable signals upon the actuation oi' said indicating means to indicate the variation oi' conditions of pressure and liquid-level in the Huid-retaining means.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we aiiiX our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES G. NOLEN. JOHN It. SHEPHERD.

In presence ot'n Fomin BAIN, MARY F. ALLEN. 

